at
given in our own Italy; and the magnificent Ecclesiastical Academies, all
under religious influence, at St. Petersburg, Moscow, Kieff, and Kazan,
make us feel a sense of sadness at the miserable and insufficient
instruction that is given to our own Italian clergy. Let us say frankly,
that in our Italy, and even at Rome, we possess no such establishments
which for beauty of organization, capable professors, and wealth of
libraries, can rival these Russian Ecclesiastical Academies. To convince
people of the truth of my assertion, I need only refer them to the superb
official organs of these Academies ... and set out what a vast quantity
of scientific works [this Father Palmieri does] is brought together in
these collections of Russian theological writers, and how far we in Italy
are from giving to the study of theology the development which it
receives in Russia.... I invite the scholars, not only of Italy, but of
every nation, to make acquaintance with the innumerable collection of
books now in the Vatican. They will there find convincing testimony to
the intensity of the intellectual work in Russia, and to the scientific
vitality of her Church...."

Again, in his book, _La Chiesa Russa_ (Florence, 1908), he deplores, not
the ignorance of the East, but the ignorance of the West. "It is
deplorable," he says, "that the intense scientific production of Russia
is almost totally ignored by the West.... A great nation like Russia is
not a negligible quantity affected by an intellectual quagmire (p. 671).
The Russian Ecclesiastical literature is rich in monographs on particular
subjects, and above all in Patristic theology. In this sphere of
research, Russian Orthodoxy can even outrival the German science." Such
is the testimony of one of the most cultured men in Italy.

The question is sometimes asked, What is the Greek Church doing at the
present time in the department of hymnody, in which her ancient offices
are so rich? Much; but as present day compositions are not used in the
canonical services, the supply of such material is not encouraged as it
would be in other circumstances, and as it is in the West, where the
demand for material for congregational hymnaries is so persistent. But
the Greek Church can boast of many hymn writers in her communion, whose
compositions would do no discredit to our Western hymnaries. Any
bookseller in Athens would supply a catalogue of Greek hymnological work
to any interested enquirer.